Skills & Requirements

People Skills - Very High
Sales Skills - Very High
Communication Skills - Very High
Problem Solving Abilities - High
Analytical Abilities - Medium
Creativity - High
Initiative - High
Presentation Skills - High
Team Work - Very Low - High
Leadership Abilities - High

Comments

	The Non-Profit career can require the individual to perform all functions found in other marketing careers. The opportunity to make "traditional" marketing decisions at an early age intrigue and draw many individuals to the non-profit field.
	Certainly, communication skills are very important. Many of the jobs will require good writing skills and most jobs will require the person to meet and work with the various publics that can be found in the non-profit sector. Remember, virtually everyone you meet is a potential donor of money or time to the organization. Sell, Sell, Sell.
	You want to get rich? Forget it, not in this profession. The non-profit sector is typically not for the individual who is money driven. A non-profit wants an individual with a strong sense of community spirit and the desire to help others.
	Creativity and initiative are important skills to possess. You will be given opportunities to take charge and create a new event designed to communicate and sell the organization.
	Non-profits typically do not require a lot of travel but they do have a wide diversity of daily activities. No two days may be alike. The ideal non-profiter is willing to adapt to whatever the needs are for the day or for the given project.
	Are working hours 9 to 5? Sometimes. However, there are also occasions in which you may have to attend a dinner or special event after "hours." People that are comfortable in social situations can possess a distinct advantage in the non-profit sector.
	Business skills are a distinct advantage. Basic knowledge about accounting, finance, management, information systems, advertising, and of course, marketing will be an important differential advantage. Traditionally, the non-profits possessed poor business skills and only recently have business skills been recognized for their importance.
	Moving from other marketing careers to the non-profit sector should not be difficult. However, moving from the non-profits to the profit sector may be more difficult.
	For most people in the non-profit sector the advantages of a career in non-profit marketing are numerous but the "bottom-line" remains the opportunity to help others and return something of value to the community.

Key Jobs

Marketing Director

The Marketing Director in the non-profit sector is in charge of all marketing activities for the organization. The marketing director position will vary depending on the size of the organization. Many non-profits have a one person marketing department while larger non-profits may have a sizable marketing department.

Assistant Marketing Director

These marketing personnel tend to report directly to the marketing director and will perform many of the same activities as the director. Small non-profits will have the assistant marketing director help in all marketing activities. Larger organizations may have an assistant marketing director responsible for one activity such as promotion or fund raising.

Director of Development / Fund Raiser

The director of development is a fund raiser and his or her job is to organize, manage, and direct the fund raising campaigns that keep a non-profit in existence. The job will entail event planning, personal selling, and potentially a great deal of entertaining activities. The director of development is a critically important marketing job for any non-profit organization.

Event Coordinator

The Event Coordinator position can be found in many of the Non- profit organizations. One of the key methods of raising donations and funds for the non-profit organization is through some form of special event. The Event Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the event ranging from initial planning to implementation of the event. Specifically, the Event coordinator must schedule the event, arrange the event location, and find sponsors of food, drink, finances, and door prizes. In addition, the event coordinator may be responsible for promotion of the event and be available to solve any last minute problems that arise in the implementation of the event.

Publication Specialist

Many organizations spend substantial budgetary resources on publications designed to promote and bring about awareness of the organization. The publication specialist is responsible for designing and creating brochures, posters, newsletters, and any direct mail materials.

Intern-Volunteers

Non-profit organizations would have difficulty in surviving without volunteers and interns. The intern and volunteer is typically unpaid but is a very important step in obtaining a full time non-profit job. Interns will perform a variety of marketing functions for the organization in return for experience in the industry.

Facts and Trends

	Non-profit organizations along with other non-business functions such as governments account for over 20% of the economic activity in the United States. This is a large sector with opportunities you shouldn't overlook.
	You can now donate online. For example, thanks to Hewlett-Packard, Second Harvest of Chicago is accepting online donations. Wonders will never cease!

	Hard, frustrating and lonely. Three words that can describe non-profit marketing work. But, on the plus side, you will have work that may have great potential to positively impact people's lives. And, on top of that, you will often get far more responsibility early in a non-profit job than you could otherwise. A great way to build your credentials. It's also worth keeping in mind that non-profit employment is a waystation for many. We recently spoke with the former manager of a public TV station. He loved the job but couldn't handle the stress forever and is now a happy manager of a for-profit service business. The point is that you don't have to assume that you'll be doing this forever.
	A 1998 Johns Hopkins University study found that the U.S. dedicates less resources to non-profits than many European countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium.
	Jobs in non-profits can often have many more dimensions than jobs in the for-profit sector. You may find yourself dealing with clients, engaging in lobbying, organizing office affairs etc. This can add to overall breadth of knowledge and capabilities.
	Businesses are increasingly looking to get more back from their non-profit dollars. This makes it especially important to work to promote a donor's image with co-marketing arrangements in the non-profit arena.
	Because of the growth in the number of non-profits that are competing for a shrinking monetary support base, marketing has taken on even more importance to the organization. As federal budget cuts increase over time, this is likely to become even more true.
	The non-profits usually do not refer to their target markets as customers. They use terms like sponsor, clients, patients, members, donors, and contributors.
	Database marketing is making fund raising a more organized and manageable process. The use of computer technology and telemarketing allows the non-profits to reach potential donors more quickly. Non-profits often cooperate with each other in this regard.
	Some of the most significant non-profit opportunities are in hospitals and universities. Hospitals are increasingly competing for patients are increasingly rely on marketing expertise to help attract them. And many universities have experienced severe funding shortfalls and are increasingly relying on marketing efforts to keep themselves afloat. Don't overlook opportunities in this area. You may be able to make a tremendous difference for an institution of higher learning.

Resources

Web Sites

	Associated Grantmakers. This link will bring you directly to the Associated Grantmaker "links" page where you will find an alphabetical listing of more than a hundred Massachusetts nonprofits. A terrific resource if you want to find out more about the nonprofit organization you are applying to.
	Baker Library Non-Profit Organization Database. A very detailed list of non-profits compiled by Harvard Business School.
	Chronicle of Philanthropy A listing ofmanagement jobs updated every month from nonprofits and foundations.
	Good Works National web site that lists jobs in nonprofits. They have great information and interesting search parameters.
	Guide Star. You can find just about every nonprofit in the country at this site.
	Idealist A worldwide search engine for nonprofit organizations. Don't forget to go to their "tools" page where you will find more links.
	Habitat for Humanity. Builds homes for the homeless and poor. Recently involved in building after Hurricane Mitch hit Central America.
	"New Non-Profit Execs Walk a Fine Line," By Hal Lancaster, in Careers.WSJ.Com, August 1998.
	NonProfit Times. A definitive online resource for those with an interest in non-profit careers.
	Non-Profit Career Network. Lists jobs by region and title. Very good place to look. Can submit your resume too.
	Peace Corps Overseas jobs! Need we say more...
	Philanthropy Journal Jobs in the nonprofit community.
	Summer Jobs. Find the right job for you next summer. Covers non-profits and more.
	United Way The United Way Volunteer Action Center has tons of volunteer positions available.
	Volunteers of America A Christian human service organization. Find a newsletter, annual report, car donations and lots of programs here.

Books

	Russell Belk, Advances in Nonprofit Marketing. vols. 1-4. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
	Career Opportunities in Art Museums, Zoos, and other Interesting Places, 2nd edition, U.S. Department of Labor: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980. This government document profiles a variety of typical non-profit organizations that need marketing expertise.

Peter Drucker. Managing the Non-Profit Organization. New York, NY.: Harper Business. Peter Drucker is one of the best known names in marketing and management. Drucker provides guidelines and expert advice on how to manage a non-profit organization effectively and efficiently. The book includes interviews with 9 executives. You may also be interested in the audio tape.

	Marjorie Eberts and Margaret Gisler, 1991, Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons. This book provides addresses of organizations like the Red Cross, VISTA and UNICEF that you can contact to turn your good deeds into enough money to pay rent. If you are interested in working with refugees, running inner-city clinics or helping arts organizations this is a great book to read.
	Peter Edels. Fundraising. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill, Inc., 1993. Edels provides secrets of running a successful fundraising campaign. Specifically, he provides a practical step-by-step down in the trenches look at fundraising.
	Carolyn Farb. How to Raise Millions Helping Others, Having a Ball, A Guide to Fundraising, Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 1993. This fundraising "cookbook" provides practical suggestions for the non- profit marketer who has major responsibilities in fund-raising. Farb has an easy to read book that caters to the practitioner.
	Joan Flanagan. Successful Fundraising. Contemporary Books, 1993. Fundraising techniques are described that are most successful in accessing funds. Sample worksheets and guidelines are provided.
	Leslie Hamilton and Robert Tragert, 100 Best Non-Profits to Work For, Arco Publishing, 1998. Great organizations that reward you well for doing good! If you want a meaningful, socially responsible job -- but you also want good pay and career prospects -- where do you look? This one-of-a-kind new guide has 100 great answers! It offers profiles of the todays best paying, most secure, and most gratifying nonprofit organizations to work for. Public television stations, state-of-the-art wildlife parks, environmental groups -- these and scores of other organizations are described in detail.
	Bruce Hopkins, A Legal Guide to Starting and Managing a Non-Profit Organization. New York, N.Y.: John Wiley and Sons, 1993. Hopkins examines the non-profit organization from a legal standpoint. He provides detail for every legal issue that a non-profit needs to consider.
	Philip Kotler and Ferrel, OC and Lamb, Charles. Strategic Marketing for Non-Profit Organizations, 3rd Edition: Engelwood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall Inc., 1987. This text is the premier authority on how to market non-profit organizations. It is the most popular text used in college courses for the non-profit field.
	Daniel Lauber. Non-Profits' and Education Job Finder: 1997-2000. Planning Communications. This all-new edition offers detailed information on over 2,222 sources of job openings in the education and the rest of the non-profit sector. What Color is Your Parachute? recommends it as the first place to look to learn where the job openings are advertised.
	Adrian Paradis, Opportunities in Non-Profit Careers, VGM Horizons, 1994. Emphasis is placed on the identification and variety of nonprofit organizations, with sources given for further information and direction. A separate chapter on fund-raising is included as an up-and-coming professionally recognized career path.
	Richard Steckel, Jennifer Lehman, and Alan Shrader, In Search of America's Best Non-Profits, Jossey-Bass, 1997. For both insiders and those looking to become more involved with nonprofits, this is a practical guide to the exemplary organizations that make our country a better place to live and work. A hands-on resource, this book includes a checklist for jobseekers and donors, worksheets for evaluating your own nonprofit, and descriptive portraits of today's most influencial nonprofit leaders.
	Richard Steckel, et. al. Filthy Rich and Other Non-Profit Fantasies. San Francisco, Ten Speed Press. This is a book which tells you how to run a non-profit successfully. Gives you a good background of how the whole non-profit sector works.
	Wet Feet Press, Social Entrepreneurship: Non-Profits for Profit. 1997. In the Wet Feet Insider Guide on Social Entrepreneurship, our insiders take you inside the hottest development in the non-profit industry in years - the rise of business-oriented non-profit ventures (perhaps that Ben & Jerry's store around the corner is an example of such a venture).

Salaries

As you would expect, starting pay in the non-profit sector is typically lower than in other industries because fund raising, government grants, and donations are the typical source of revenue. However, the larger the non-profit organization the better the chance of income rapidly increasing as the individual moves into upper management.

Job						Income

Marketing Director				$25,000 - $100,000
Assistant Marketing Director			$15,000 - $35,000
Director of Development				$25,000 - $80,000
Event Coordinator				$15,000 - $40,000
Publication Specialist				$15,000 - $30,000
Intern-Volunteer				Not a paid position

Also see:

	Salary Survey of Non-Profits
	Foundation heads averaged $363,000 in pay
	Grantmakers' salaries rise

Top Non-Profits

Salvation Army, National Administrative Office, Box 269, Alexandria VA 22313, Employment Contact: Apply to local offices for positions. Helps poor and needy with food and shelter.

American Red Cross, 430 17th St., NW 20006. 202-737-8300. Does not accept resumes. Contact any chapter office for employment listings and then apply for specific jobs. Concentrates on disaster relief for earthquakes, floods, tornadoes. [Employment opportunities]

Second Harvest of Chicago, 116 South Michigan Ave., Suite 4, Chicago, IL 60603, 312-263-2303. Employment Contact: Personnel Department. Mostly donations of food for the needy. [Employment opportunities]

United Jewish Appeal, 99 Park Ave., Suite 300, New York, NY 10016, 212-818-9100. Umbrella agency for 447 groups that help Jews immigrate to Israel.

American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30329. 404-816-7800. Employment Contact: Human Resources. Funds cancer education, prevention and research. [Employment Opportunities]

Catholic Charities USA, 1731 King St. Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. 703-549-1390. Helps catholic charitable causes. The largest private network of social service organizations in the United States works to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities. [Employment Opportunities]

YMCA of the USA, 101 North Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606, 312-977-0031. Employment Contact: Associate Director for Human Resources and Cultural Diversity at 312-269-1138. Largest U.S. nonprofit child-care provider. Local YMCAs collectively are the country's largest community service organization, providing values-based experiences that nurture the healthy development of children and teens, support families, and strengthen communities.

American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. Employment Contact: National Staffing Director. Sponsors nutrition research and education and other efforts to combat heart disease. [Employment Opportunities]

YWCA, 726 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. 212-614-2700. The YWCA is the largest and oldest women's membership movement in the United States. The mission of the YWCA is to empower women and girls and to eliminate racism. Operating out of thousands of locations in all 50 states, the YWCA of the USA represents more than 2 million women, girls and their families in the United States. Globally, the YWCA represents more than 25 million women throughout 101 countries. The organization gives breast and cervical cancer education to low-income women. [Employment Opportunities]

Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 901 E St., NW, Washington DC 20004. 202-879-9600. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, promotes non-commercial public telecommunications services (television, radio, online and digital) for the American people. CPB provides financial support and a variety of services to more than 1,000 public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB's support guarantees universal access to public broadcasting's educational services and programming, and ensures that stations can exchange program materials through a national system of interconnection. [Employment Opportunities]

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